Links

Recently there has been a strong push for Americans to increase their fiber intake. Fiber has been added to food products such as cereals, yogurts, and sweeteners, and the market for fiber supplements has taken off. The majority of Americans are getting less than half the daily fiber recommendation (25 grams/day for women and 38 grams/day for men), so this push for more fiber is a good thing.

Simply put, dietary fibers are non-digestible carbohydrates that help maintain a healthy digestive tract and may improve heart health, immune function, and blood sugar control. Two major categories of fiber are soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber has been found to lower cholesterol and promote digestive health. Good sources are oats, dry beans, peas, lentils, fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool to help it pass through the gut more quickly. Foods containing insoluble fiber include wheat bran, whole grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds. A mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber is suggested for optimal health.

Functional fibers are fibers that have been isolated from food products or manufactured for therapeutic use. The use of fiber supplements has been linked with lowered cholesterol, increased weight loss, and improved gut and immune function. It is important to be aware of the type of functional or added fiber so you can receive the desired benefits. Listed below are some of the most common functional and added fibers, what they do, and the products they are found in.

The importance of fiber in our diet is becoming more and more undeniable, which is why finding ways to increase your daily fiber intake is worth the effort. Don’t forget to increase fiber gradually and drink plenty of water to prevent digestive discomfort. Before turning to supplements, try adding more whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to your diet. Be creative and remember that fiber is just one component of a healthy lifestyle!

This information was brought to you by OC Nutrition, Your Trusted Source for Health & Nutrition Advice, and Sarah Trinajstich, CSULB Dietetic Intern. OC Nutrition offers nutrition counseling services in Newport Beach, Irvine, Orange, Anaheim Hills, Chino Hills, and Long Beach. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact:

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on dietary supplements. Is all of this money worth it or should we be spending our hard earned money on other things?Dietary supplements are regulated under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This law established the definition and labeling guidelines for supplements but did not ensure the safety, effectiveness or quality of these products. As a result, we need to critically evaluate supplements before deciding whether they could help or potentially harm our health.

Don’t just listen to what it says on the company website or what the sales person tells you at the supplement shop. These companies want to make money so they tell you what they think you want to hear, even if it is false or misleading. In general, stay away from “.com” websites and instead look for information that comes from the government (.gov), universities (.edu), and professional or non-profit organizations (.org).

A Registered Dietitian can be a helpful resource when taking on the often overwhelming task of evaluating dietary supplements. If you have questions about the supplements you’re taking or are considering taking, we’d be happy to answer them. We’ve saved our patients thousands of dollars by helping them pare down their supplements to the ones that are safe and proven to be effective. To schedule an appointment with one of our Registered Dietitians, please call 949-933-6788.

This information was brought to you by OC Nutrition, Your Trusted Source for Health & Nutrition Advice. OC Nutrition offers nutrition counseling services over the phone or in person in Newport Beach, Irvine, Orange, Anaheim Hills, Chino, Glendora and Long Beach. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact: